Can Taiwan effectively combat typical crimes involving "Telegram + cryptocurrency + overseas websites" and "innovative private groups"?

With the recent public attention on the child sexual exploitation case involving celebrity Huang Zijiao, issues related to online security and child protection have once again become a hot topic. In the latest discussion at the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee of the Taiwan Legislative Yuan, the progress of blocking the "Creative Private Room" website has become a focus, with lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties expressing serious concerns about the Ministry of Health and Welfare's action speed. However, there are also opinions questioning whether Taiwan can really do anything about the operational structure of "Telegram + cryptocurrency + overseas website".

Crack down on the virtual currency flow of "Creative Private Room"! The Kuomintang proposes the Internet Sexual Violence Prevention Act to curb illegal financial flows and voyeuristic behavior.

Progress of Website Shutdown Questioned, Ministry of Health Passes Responsibility to Ministry of Digital Development, Amendment Still Pending

Recently, the Ministry of Health faced pressure from the public regarding the slow response to shutting down the closed website "Creative Private Room," which is involved in child sexual exploitation. It was criticized for its delayed actions. Legislators pointed out that according to current laws, the Ministry of Health already has sufficient authority to remove or restrict harmful websites, but its actions seem to be restricted by implementation regulations. Health Minister Shih Ray-yuan promised today to take immediate action and directly sent a message to the Ministry of Digital Development this afternoon requesting the closure of the website.

Shih Ray-yuan explained that there are two methods for shutting down a website: one is to forcefully shut down a website when it does not remove content after receiving an administrative penalty, and the other is to shut down a website by seizing it as evidence in criminal cases by prosecutors. He expressed the hope that through legislative amendments, clearer shutdown powers would be granted to the Ministry of Health.

Legislative Restrictions and Challenges

DPP Legislator Hung Shen-han pointed out that the current laws, such as the Sexual Assault Crime Prevention Act and the Child and Adolescent Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act, clearly assign responsibilities to platform operators and regulatory authorities to restrict or remove relevant web pages when they become aware of criminal activities. However, the specific provisions of the implementation regulations have become obstacles in practice, restricting the actions of the Ministry of Health.

Technical Feasibility and Privacy Concerns

Shih Ray-yuan emphasized that it is technically feasible to track and manage visits to pornographic websites, and even track the activities of website members. This may lead to further public discussion on privacy security, especially in balancing data protection and personal freedom.

Currently, although from the perspective of virtual currency flows, Creative Private Room and users use centralized exchanges where personal information can be found, according to the Child and Youth Welfare Law, "Anyone who holds images of children or adolescents without a legitimate reason shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year, detention, or a fine of not less than NT$30,000 and not more than NT$300,000."

Internet Commentary: "Telegram + Cryptocurrency + Overseas Websites": Can't Completely Shut Down

The well-known Facebook page "IEObserve International Economic Observer" believes: "Creative Private Room's communication and financial flow are based on the standard Telegram + digital currency wallet and overseas server website, with high concealment. Even if it is shut down, it cannot be completely closed."

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He believes that the Taiwanese government can only "stop resolving" the domain of Creative Private Room at most. It is possible to bypass restrictions and use it. For crimes on overseas networks involving non-Taiwanese individuals, Taiwan law enforcement agencies are essentially powerless.

Currently, while WNIC, the Taiwan Network Information Center, can block the domain, members of Creative Private Room can still bypass it using VPNs and contact and pay through Telegram + virtual currency, which offers high anonymity.

This incident and legislative trends once again remind us that cybersecurity and child protection are ongoing major issues that require attention. Legislation and technological advancements should work together to provide a safer environment to protect the most vulnerable groups from the threat of sexual exploitation.